scholarly journals Spatial Aspects of Gardens Drive Ranging in Urban Foxes (Vulpes vulpes): The Resource Dispersion Hypothesis Revisited

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1167
Author(s):  
Bryony A. Tolhurst ◽  
Rowenna J. Baker ◽  
Francesca Cagnacci ◽  
Dawn M. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Urban Ecosystems ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Edge Density ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Resource Dispersion ◽  
Resource Dispersion Hypothesis ◽  
Core Areas

Red foxes are a well-established species of urban ecosystems in the UK and worldwide. Understanding the spatial ecology of foxes in urban landscapes is important for enhancement of urban biodiversity and effective disease management. The Resource Dispersion Hypothesis (RDH) holds that territory (home range) size is linked to distribution and richness of habitat patches such that aggregation of rich resources should be negatively associated with range size. Here, we tested the RDH on a sample of 20 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the city of Brighton and Hove. We focused on residential garden areas, as foxes were associated with these in previous studies. We equipped 12 male and 8 female foxes with GPS collars recording at 15 min intervals during discrete seasons over four years. We regressed fox core area size against garden size, number of garden patches, and edge density within and between patches as extracted from GIS in a series of bivariate linear mixed models. We found that foxes used smaller core areas where gardens were large and well-connected and larger core areas where numerous, smaller gardens were fragmented by internal barriers (e.g., fences, walls) or bisected by other habitats such as managed grassland or built-up areas. Our findings confirm the RDH and help to inform future urban planning for wildlife.

Space use and territoriality in swift foxes (Vulpes velox) in northeastern Colorado

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amariah A. Lebsock ◽  
Christopher L. Burdett ◽  
Safi K. Darden ◽  
Torben Dabelsteen ◽  
Michael F. Antolin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Spatial Overlap ◽  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Shortgrass Prairie ◽  
Core Areas

Space use is a fundamental characteristic that informs our knowledge of social relationships and the degree to which individuals are territorial. Until recently, relatively little was known about the spatial ecology and social organization of swift foxes ( Vulpes velox (Say, 1823)). We investigated space use of swift foxes on shortgrass prairie in northeastern Colorado. Our first objective was to evaluate sizes of seasonal and annual home ranges and core areas of 13 radio-collared swift foxes monitored continuously for 2 years. Our second objective was to compare home-range and core-area overlap of breeding pairs to that of neighboring foxes, including male–male, female–female, and nonbreeding female–male dyads. Home-range size in our study population was among the smallest previously reported for swift foxes. Males tended to have slightly larger home ranges and core areas than females, and home-range size was significantly larger in the breeding season than in both the pup-rearing and the dispersal seasons; sizes of core areas did not differ seasonally. Spatial overlap between breeding pairs was substantial, whereas spatial overlap between neighbors, particularly males, was low, suggesting territoriality.

scholarly journals The Ecology of Red Foxes, Vulpes vulpes, in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario: Disease Management Implications

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Rosatte ◽  
Mike Allan
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Rabies Control

During 1989-1992, 33 Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were fitted with radio-collars in metropolitan Toronto to study their behaviour which would provide data to assist with the design of a rabies control strategy for urban areas of Ontario. Annual home range size for adult foxes (avg = 325 ha, SD = 207) was significantly larger than that of juvenile foxes (avg = 165 ha, SD = 176), but we could not detect any seasonal differences in home range size for foxes. Mean (SD) nightly ranges were 38.3 ha (48.3) in spring, 97.4 ha (115.4) in summer, 26.8 ha (28.5) in fall, and 16.3 ha (13.6) in winter. Movements by foxes during the period from June to November averaged 3.5 km (2.89). Eleven of the foxes were known to have dispersed (? 3 km from their home range), but we could not detect a mean direction of dispersal. Thirty-six percent (4/11) of the foxes dispersed in December and 18% (2/11) dispersed in August, with the remainder dispersing between February and November. Average dispersal distance was 19.3 km (15.6), and a significant negative correlation was detected between initial home range size and dispersal distance of foxes. Mortality of radio-collared foxes was caused by collisions with automobiles, predation, and shooting. Foxes made extensive use of ravines and other greenbelt areas, such as parks and golf courses. Residential areas were also used by some foxes. Knowledge of the habitats frequented by foxes as well as their movement potential assisted researchers in determining where vaccine baits should be placed for the control of rabies in Red Foxes in metropolitan Toronto.

scholarly journals Variation in home range size of red foxes Vulpes vulpes along a gradient of productivity and human landscape alteration

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. e0175291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zea Walton ◽  
Gustaf Samelius ◽  
Morten Odden ◽  
Tomas Willebrand
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Landscape Alteration ◽  
Human Landscape

Socio-spatial organization and spatial ecology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G.L. Mills ◽  
M.E.J. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Large Home Range ◽  
Core Areas

Home ranges of males (1204 km2) and females (1510 km2) were similar. Female home range size was positively related to the dispersion of prey and generally, but not exclusively, they displayed home range fidelity. Overlap between female home ranges was extensive, although they rarely met up. Male home ranges overlapped extensively and there was no difference in size between coalition and single males. Males overcame the problem of scent marking a large home range by concentrating scent marks in core areas. Generally female cheetah home range size is affected by resource productivity, although where prey are migratory, or in fenced reserves where movements are constricted, and areas where disturbance is severe, this may be different. Southern Kalahari males apparently need large home ranges to increase the likelihood of locating wide-ranging and sporadically receptive females. Mean dispersal distance for subadult males (96 km) was further than for females (39 km).

Variation in fur farm and wild populations of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Carnivora: Canidae) — Part I: Morphometry

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Zatoń-Dobrowolska ◽  
Magdalena Moska ◽  
Anna Mucha ◽  
Heliodor Wierzbicki ◽  
Piotr Przysiecki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Selective Breeding ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Ear Height ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
The Right ◽  
Almost All

This paper demonstrates the influence of artificial selection on morphometric traits in the red fox [Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)]. Measurements and two proportion coefficients were analysed in 132 wild and 199 farm red foxes. The two groups differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) on all but one of the measurements. Eight out of 11 measurements were significantly greater in the farm fox population, while only tail length, ear height, and length of the right hind limb were greater in the population of wild foxes. The opposite trend was observed when analysing variation in the measurements — the farm foxes were characterized by a greater variability only in the case of body weight, body length, and breadth of chest. When analysing the sexual dimorphism index in different sex and population groups, in almost all analysed traits, the greatest differences occurred between farm males and wild females. All of the traits examined in this study are important for survival of wild foxes. However, because importance of some traits was reduced during domestication and selective breeding (farm foxes do not have to fight for survival), the genetic relationship between them may have weakened. Other possible causes of morphological differences between the studied groups of red foxes are discussed as well.

scholarly journals Disseminated Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) with Cerebral Involvement Found in Portugal

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 531-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Matos ◽  
Luis Figueira ◽  
Maria H. Martins ◽  
Manuela Matos ◽  
Márcia Morais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Cerebral Involvement

The diet of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes L., in Victoria

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Coman
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Main Food ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Over Time

Stomach contents were examined for 1229 foxes collected in Victoria during 1968-70. Of these, 967 stomachs contained measurable quantities of food. The fox appears to have a very wide dietary range but is predominantly carnivorous. The main food items encountered were rabbits, sheep carrion, and mice. Lesser amounts of native mammals, birds, cold-blooded vertebrates, invertebrates, and plant material were encountered. For many foods, particularly insects, the intake was markedly seasonal. Regional differences in diet were also apparent. Much of the variation in intake of particular foods over time and between regions was explicable in terms of changing availabilities of these foods.

scholarly journals Mesocarnivores and macroparasites: altitude and land use predict the ticks occurring on red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila D. Sándor ◽  
Gianluca D’Amico ◽  
Călin M. Gherman ◽  
Mirabela O. Dumitrache ◽  
Cristian Domșa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Foxes

scholarly journals Four structural variants associated with human‐directed sociability in dogs are not found in tame red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes )

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estelle R. Bastounes ◽  
Halie M. Rando ◽  
Jennifer L. Johnson ◽  
Lyudmila N. Trut ◽  
Benjamin N. Sacks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Structural Variants ◽  
Red Foxes
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